Matt's n600 rebuild project log

[Matt Timion]

With all of the other rebuild threads I thought I would start my own. This is for my Honda n600:



I recently sandblasted the rims and removed as much rust as I could fathom with a wirebrush. I then repainted them with silver wheel paint and also clearcoated them. I will soon be putting the hubcaps back on.

Last week I had a problem where my n600 wouldn't get above 15mph. I replaced the spark plugs, points and condenser, fuel filter, and spark plug wires (much harder than you realize on this car). I am going to replace the oil filter soon.

Although I don't have pictures, today I received a new airbox and fan assembly for my Honda n600. it is the proper one for my year, so I'll be able to utilize the carb heater as it was intended. I took the parts to the car wash today to remove 30 years of caked on oil. I'd say it was mainly a success.

This weekend I will sandblast the airbox and repaint it gloss black. I may also sandblast the heater blower motor and do the same.

Pictures to follow.

[SVOboy]

With all of the other rebuild threads I thought I would start my own.

I like it, y0! Figure out the brake booster issue yet?

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

I like it, y0! Figure out the brake booster issue yet?

There really is no issue. I was just asking about it. Another n600 enthusiast removed his brake booster all together because he could not find parts to rebuild it. He claims to have not noticed a loss in stopping power.

SVOBoy and I were talking about finding a replacement Brake Booster in the event mine goes out. I need to do a little research and find one that is compatible.

[SVOboy]

I thought the plan was all stock,

[GasSavers_Diemaster]

i still think u should drop a 3 cyl geo metro in there :P or even a D16Z6 W/ M@d VTECK y0 :P lol car was over 20 years old hen vtec came out 8o

good job so far more engine pics. i am curious as to what a 2 cyl looks like :P

[Matt Timion]

Today I went to the junkyard looking for a new bracket for my coil. While I didn't find anything that was exactly the same I did find something that worked. I used the coil bracket from a 81 Accord. It's actually completely different than mine but it works. It will work fine until I manage to get my hands on a real one.

Tonight I took two parts of my n600 out to be redone.




Well, actually the airbox was new. My sedan came with the wrong airbox, and a mangled one at that. The airbox above is the correct one for my car, albeit rusted.

The blower motor's function is to blow excess engine heat into the cabin.

I bought a can of black engine enamel so both items could handle the high heat of the engine bay.

I pulled out the sand blasting equipment, goggles, dust mask, etc... and went to work.

I've tried sand blasting twice now and I've decided it is not for me. It's a huge pain in the *** and is no more effective than sanding or using chemical paint stripper. I won't be doing it again unless I actually need to. Oh, and it's messy b/c I don't have a sand blasting booth.

I took some pictures while the parts were being painted but since the parts are black they really didn't show much detail in the pictures.

After painting them and letting them dry I installed them.

First I will show how the engine bay looked when I bought the car.



Now with the freshly painted parts and a relocated coil:



Oh, another reason to not sandblast is the wind will blow sand into your wet paint. I'm now considering sanding the paint in order to repaint it. ugh.

I'm currently working with someone on getting a rebuilt engine, or at least one a little better than mine.

I inadvertently discovered tonight that the screws used for my hose clamps are the exact same size as the screws that hold the front turn signal lenses in place. i've been looking for this information for a while now. I went to Home Depot tonight and picked up some bolts that are the same size, although the worker told me that these bolts are not rated for car use. I may just go to Autozone tomorrow to get another set.

[GasSavers_DaX]

Awesome thread. Man, I really want one. *pouts*

[Matt Timion]

I just purchased a new upper crankshaft housing on ebay for $50.

It's actually a BRAND NEW item. Some guy must have had this in his garage and finally decided to sell it on ebay. My gain.



This thing just fell into my lap. I just so happened to notice recently that the threads are stripped on this piece on my engine, which is probably the cause of the head gasket leak I'm experiencing. I'll replace this thing, the timing chain, and new gaskets and my engine should be good to go.

[SVOboy]

Nice find, this engine is going to be a frankenstein of new;/old/custom parts, I'm looking forward to it.

[Sludgy]

That old N600 was equipped with a carburetor. If you replace the carb with a throttle body fuel injection system and oxygen sensor from an recent, four-banger, I'll bet it would get upwards of 60 mpg AND have more power too.